Glaucoma Consult

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Glaucoma is a group of diseases in which progressive atrophy of the optic nerve leads to loss of vision. The principal risk factor is eye pressure that is too high for the continued health of the optic nerve. The optic nerve is responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain, and as it becomes damaged, vision is lost.

The top picture to the right is a normal optic nerve head. The middle picture is of moderate "cupping", or damage. The lower picture is a nerve head with advanced glaucoma damage.

Notice the cupped appearance of the damaged nerve heads.

In most instances, the cause of glaucoma is unknown. It often occurs in a seemingly normal appearing eye without evidence of other conditions. In certain conditions, such as trauma, eye tumors or abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye, the reason for the elevated eye pressure is known, but this represents a small number of patients.

It does not appear that any specific foods or activities cause glaucoma, although exercise may lead to slightly lower eye pressures. In addition, there does not seem to be any direct relationship between other medical illnesses such as high blood pressure and glaucoma.

Much active research is currently being carried out to try to find the cause of visual loss in glaucoma.

Only a qualified eye care professional can diagnose and effectively treat glaucoma. There is no pain, and no symptoms until permanant visual loss is present. Therefore, it is important to have your eyes checked regularly by an ophthalmologist.

Your ophthalmologist or his/her qualified staff will check the pressure in your eyes. If necessary, your ophthalmologist have you take a visual field test, which measures your peripheral vision. The ophthalmologist will also thoroughly examine the back of your eye for any changes that might indicate nerve damage from glaucoma.

Yes. Although everyone should be checked at least every two years, the following are factors that increase your risk.

* A family history of glaucoma

* 35 years of age or older

* African American of any age

* History of severe eye inflammation or infection

* History of eye trauma

* Previous eye surgery

* Diabetes

* Arthritis

* Steroid use, oral or inhaled

Many medications increase the risk of glaucoma, and/or increase the pressure in your eyes. It is impossible to provide a complete list, therefore it is important to bring a current list of all of your medications, prescription and over-the-counter, to your ophthalmologist when you visit.